Electric current is the flow of electrons through empty wires.
Batteries are not current providers, but are voltage providers
"Thick wires have lower resistance because the charges have more space"
"I would recommend using the phrase ‘in the sense positive to negative’ if you mention direction of flow and would suggest adding ‘very slowly everywhere at the same time, like a wheel’ as often as possible."
Say 'more' or 'less' when talking about energy transferred.
Be careful when talking about electricity, and the words you choose because they can affect how the student's understand. for example: "what the layman knows as a "battery" should strictly be called a 'cell'."
Formative Assessment Probe Information
Students can understand that one wire can light a bulb, but still have a wrong configuration of a circuit.
Before students can explain a complete circuit, they need to see the arrangement of the wires in a bulb. Using an enlarged cutaway diagram of a lightbulb can help students see how the lightbulb works.
It is important to give children the opportunity to explore batteries, bulbs, and wires, without the casings or clips so that they can understand how the current flows through each of the components.
Use the probe to challenge students to find as many different ways as they can to light the bulb with one or two wires and explain the path of the current.
Jessica Harper-Background Information: If a flashlight bulb is placed correctly in a complete circuit so that electricity passes through it, it will light. In order for current to flow through the bulb, it must be connected to the circuit at two points, the tip contact, and the base contact. My activity exemplifies the transformation of energy. The ideal transformation is from the chemical energy that is stored in the D cell to light energy as the bulb glows. This information is from the Sparky's Light Kit activity in the Electrical Connections AIMS book.
Simple series circuit-when connected in a series, a single pathway is formed through which current flows. In a series circuit, when one of the bulbs or wires is left open or is broken, the entire circuit ceases. The break opens the circuit. Cheap Christmas lights are usually an example of this. A parallel circuit form branches, each of which is a separate path for the flow of electrons. A parallel circuit is designed so that if one branch is defective, the flow of the electricity will not be broken to the other branches. A parallel circuit is better to use in the home. This information was found in the "Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits" lesson plan at www.lessonplanet.com. Series circuit: Parallel circuit:
Science in Elementary Education- Book: Tina Gibson
Closed and Open Circuit Concepts:
When the connection between the source of electricity and the appliance or device using it is continuous then the lights will go on, bells will ring, or motors will spin. This continuous connection is called a closed circuit.
Anytime a break or gap occurs in the circuit, the flow of electricity stops. This incomplete connection is called an open circuit.
Batteries:
Also called dry cells, it is good for kids to know this but use the term batteries. D size batteries are best to use because they are safe, long lasting, and relatively inexpensive. Remind children to never use household electric current to investigate.
Bulbs:
If three dry cells are connected to a one-cell bulb the light will burn out quickly. Must have right amount of bulbs. Too little will make the bulb glow dimly and too many will make bulb burn out quickly.
Extra Information:
Allow children's to make predictions about which light bulbs will light and to make inferences about hidden wires.
Non-conductor is misleading term, instead call them poor conductors or insulators.
Overloading circuits can cause overheating.
Children are curious about how a battery can "make" electricity. Make sure students understand that chemical energy changes into electrical energy.
Common Misconceptions-
"I would recommend using the phrase ‘in the sense positive to negative’ if you mention direction of flow and would suggest adding ‘very slowly everywhere at the same time, like a wheel’ as often as possible."
Say 'more' or 'less' when talking about energy transferred.
Be careful when talking about electricity, and the words you choose because they can affect how the student's understand. for example: "what the layman knows as a "battery" should strictly be called a 'cell'."
Electricity Information
Formative Assessment Probe Information
Students can understand that one wire can light a bulb, but still have a wrong configuration of a circuit.
Before students can explain a complete circuit, they need to see the arrangement of the wires in a bulb. Using an enlarged cutaway diagram of a lightbulb can help students see how the lightbulb works.
It is important to give children the opportunity to explore batteries, bulbs, and wires, without the casings or clips so that they can understand how the current flows through each of the components.
Use the probe to challenge students to find as many different ways as they can to light the bulb with one or two wires and explain the path of the current.
Jessica Harper-Background Information: If a flashlight bulb is placed correctly in a complete circuit so that electricity passes through it, it will light. In order for current to flow through the bulb, it must be connected to the circuit at two points, the tip contact, and the base contact. My activity exemplifies the transformation of energy. The ideal transformation is from the chemical energy that is stored in the D cell to light energy as the bulb glows. This information is from the Sparky's Light Kit activity in the Electrical Connections AIMS book.
Simple series circuit-when connected in a series, a single pathway is formed through which current flows. In a series circuit, when one of the bulbs or wires is left open or is broken, the entire circuit ceases. The break opens the circuit. Cheap Christmas lights are usually an example of this. A parallel circuit form branches, each of which is a separate path for the flow of electrons. A parallel circuit is designed so that if one branch is defective, the flow of the electricity will not be broken to the other branches. A parallel circuit is better to use in the home. This information was found in the "Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits" lesson plan at www.lessonplanet.com.
Series circuit:
Parallel circuit:
Science in Elementary Education- Book: Tina Gibson
Closed and Open Circuit Concepts:
Batteries:
Bulbs:
Extra Information:
Website: